Cost of proposed Attleboro water treatment plant rises by millions

ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WLNE) — Attleboro is continuing to deal with the lasting effects of drought from the latter part of 2024.

During a meeting Tuesday evening, leaders discussed plans for a new permanent water treatment plant, with a significant increase their request for funding.

Project engineer Matthew Berry said the original project started back in 2021, with a price tag of roughly $35 million.

Now, they’re looking for up to $50 million.

As Berry explains, the increase is due in part to new requirements announced by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

Berry cites new policies including “buy American, build American.”

“Those requirements are new to the state, it’s new to Tate and Howard, those requirements do have cost implications because that essentially requires that all the materials be sourced in the United States,” said Berry of the company working on the project.

The requirements are responsible for about $11 million of the difference between the original estimated cost and the new cost of $50 million.

When questioned about the remaining discrepancy, Berry said in part, that they should be able to further specify costs in mid April.

In December, Attleboro Mayor Cathleen DeSimone shared that the water shortage stemmed from a valve that was left open at Manchester Reservoir.

Water superintendent Kourtney Allen subsequently resigned.

This came after DeSimone previously said she had no evidence to substantiate online rumors of human error.